Real Estate Investing in Marlin, Texas (76661)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Falls County • Population: 7,266 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 76661 (Marlin, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (57/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
4 flags
  • High vacancy: 32.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -3.9% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • Elevated poverty: 21.7% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Lower household income: $31,888 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Marlin, TX (76661)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $92,775
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $31,888
% Renters 28.7%

Market Analysis: 76661 Marlin

ZIP 76661 inside Falls County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $93K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 76661 records the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Statewide comparisons place 76661 among TX's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The 76661 ZIP's population of 7,266 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that comes in at the need for careful underwriting.

The 76661 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Marlin:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 54/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
0/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.9× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-2.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Waco, TX Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
74 days
Average time to sell
Slow
8.5%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Waco, TX metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$132K$116K$100K$84K$68K$52KSep 2009Mar 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 76661 Compare?

Metric 76661 Marlin Waco, TX Texas
Home Value $92,775 $92,775 N/A $297,000
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $873 $873 N/A -
Cap Rate 7.3% 7.3% - -
💡 Why Invest in 76661? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 76661 (Marlin, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
7.3%
Good
5yr Growth
-3.9%
Declining

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Waco, TX metro

4/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
64%
Days Pending
2/2
74 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $92,775
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 8.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 11.3%
Cap Rate 7.3%
5-Year IRR 3.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -2.0% ▼
3-Year CAGR -5.7% ▼
5-Year CAGR -3.9% ▼
10-Year CAGR +3.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 7.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (7.3%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
32.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-3.9%
Declining
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 76661

Population: 7,266

💰 Median Household Income
$31,888
This area
$31,888
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
28.7%
This area
28.7%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.0%
This area
5.0%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
6.8%
This area
6.8%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
36.4 years
This area
36.4 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
32.9%
This area
32.9%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 37.1%
White 34.4%
Asian 17.0%
Other/Mixed 11.4%
Hispanic/Latino 9.6%
👶 Under 18
17.6%
This area
17.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.9%
This area
15.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
21.7%
This area
21.7%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 76661

B Avg School Grade
3 Schools
21.4:1 Avg Class Size
$19,170 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

MARLIN HIGH

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
436 Students
👨‍🏫
18.1:1 Class Size
💰
$19,170 Per Student
C+ Average

MARLIN EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
453 Students
👨‍🏫
26.8:1 Class Size
💰
$19,170 Per Student
C+ Average

MARLIN OPPORTUNITY CENTER

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
14 Students
👨‍🏫
19.2:1 Class Size
💰
$19,170 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Marlin, TX good for landlords?

Rental owners in Marlin, TX deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

What is the renter demographic in Marlin, TX?

Tenant demand in Marlin, TX is solid. The local workforce $873/mo rents across most rental classes.

How expensive is real estate in Marlin, TX?

Homes in Marlin, TX typically sell near $93K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which consistent long-term demand.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Marlin, TX?

Marlin, TX vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

What is the smart move for investors in Marlin, TX?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Marlin, TX best. The market produces consistent results for that approach at the $93K price point.

You know 76661 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 76661 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 76661 ranks in Waco, TX

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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